Oh. My. Goodness.
I feel like I've stepped into the Hall of Learning and I'm surrounded on all sides. I mean, I know we are always in the learning process (if we allow ourselves to be), but now I feel that there are an extraordinary amount of things to learn. So much to walk out. Live out. Speak out. Think out. Feel out. Words and thoughts and truth to be brought to life, to be manifest in my flesh.
I'm excited, anticipating the great journey it will be.
And equally afraid of failure.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
"you are for me"
So faithful
So constant
So loving and so true
So powerful in all you do
You fill me
You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to you
I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come now
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who you are
So patient
So gracious
So merciful and true
So wonderful in all you do
You fill me
You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to you
So constant
So loving and so true
So powerful in all you do
You fill me
You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to you
I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come now
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who you are
So patient
So gracious
So merciful and true
So wonderful in all you do
You fill me
You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to you
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
for the first time?
Life is so deep. I mean, when I don't think about it, I can just float through and not really realize the depth of things. But when I stop to think about it...
Like, I realized (quite a while ago, but the realization seems to come and go) that when I walk around and I semi-interact with hundreds (maybe even thousands) of people a day...in the metro, on the bus, at the bazaar, etc... I most of the time don't really give each of those people the full acknowledgment of their person-hood. I don't think about what kind of childhood they had, what talents they are gifted with, what kind of day they're going through at the moment, etc. I think mostly about their interaction with me... either they're in my way, or they're trying to sell me something overpriced, or they are kind and I appreciate them.
But when I think about my life for example, I feel that it's pretty complex and deep and important. I have an interesting past, and interesting life, I go through tons of emotions and experiences that I find to be very significant. .... And to realize that the people around me have the same weightiness to their lives... it for some reason really brings another depth of life that is quite unexplainable. And I don't even really know what to do with it. But it intrigues me.
The terrifying this is, I wonder if I'm just so proud -(thinking I'm a better person than the rest, or that me and what I have and think is more important) - that this is a common realization/understanding that every healthily humble person has and that I'm just now waking up to it...
Like, I realized (quite a while ago, but the realization seems to come and go) that when I walk around and I semi-interact with hundreds (maybe even thousands) of people a day...in the metro, on the bus, at the bazaar, etc... I most of the time don't really give each of those people the full acknowledgment of their person-hood. I don't think about what kind of childhood they had, what talents they are gifted with, what kind of day they're going through at the moment, etc. I think mostly about their interaction with me... either they're in my way, or they're trying to sell me something overpriced, or they are kind and I appreciate them.
But when I think about my life for example, I feel that it's pretty complex and deep and important. I have an interesting past, and interesting life, I go through tons of emotions and experiences that I find to be very significant. .... And to realize that the people around me have the same weightiness to their lives... it for some reason really brings another depth of life that is quite unexplainable. And I don't even really know what to do with it. But it intrigues me.
The terrifying this is, I wonder if I'm just so proud -(thinking I'm a better person than the rest, or that me and what I have and think is more important) - that this is a common realization/understanding that every healthily humble person has and that I'm just now waking up to it...
... ?
Saturday, January 16, 2010
in the meantime
We've moved! Now to get settled.
In the meantime, spending some time with street people/kids. Here's some pictures!
In the meantime, spending some time with street people/kids. Here's some pictures!
This is Bebo Luba (Grandma Luba)!
With one of the street girls new babies.
With more of the street kids, and Nato (who runs the center through which we work with the kids to teach them language, make crafts, and feed them)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
beyond my complete understanding, yet shining truth
God's ways are unfathomable to me at times. Mysterious, mystifying, deep, profound.
And completely wonderful.
And completely wonderful.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
late night ramblings from my mobile phone
It's late, but I can't sleep. My mind is running around apartments, as I lay in a half-conscious state. I think the coffee I drank at 9pm affected me... though I hate to admit it. I'm from Washington state, the birthplace of Starbucks- and I'm losing my caffeine tolerance??! Unbelievable!
Well, here I try again... to sleep, that is.
Oh! We found an apartment by the way! It feels like a miracle. It's bigger, cheaper, nice landlord, contract signed, some money paid... move in by Friday. :-)
Well, here I try again... to sleep, that is.
Oh! We found an apartment by the way! It feels like a miracle. It's bigger, cheaper, nice landlord, contract signed, some money paid... move in by Friday. :-)
Friday, January 08, 2010
this is life
To be honest, I'm feeling a little down and discouraged. I know that it won't take much to come out of that-- pretty much I just have to chose to trust God and His proven ways-- but for some reason I find a bit of comfort in feeling down? Maybe I should stop. I don't think it's worth it to feel a little good with the cost of having a crappy attitude borne out of it.
Sooo... we've been on this apartment search. We found a really great apartment 2 days ago, and we were planning to meet today to make the "contract" (this could be a real contract, but probably just a verbal agreement and financial transaction). But when we called this morning to see when we should meet, they said that they changed their mind. They already pretty much promised us this apartment, but they changed their mind. *Shock*
So, we began our apartment search again. This is not so easy, especially since we're looking for an apartment that can house 4 girls and 2 kids. And we are in Georgia, so when an apartment is listed as having "3 rooms", that often means: a bedroom, a smaller bedroom and a living room. Or sometimes there is a decent apartment, but there is a problem with the neighbors (one apartment was pretty good, but the downstairs neighbors are pretty particular about noise, and we have 2 little kids running around...). And plus, the agent who's been helping us the most-- he's a really great businessman, but also pushy and talks a lot and it's hard to make a decision because he's talking the whole time you're trying to think, and then trying to convince you about things that you know won't work. The last apartment we saw today was big enough, and cheap enough.. but like totally not finished. Not even wall paper. No heater. No stove. Cracks in the windows.
So I'm tired.
We're supposed to be out of the apartment we're in now, by the 15th. Of course we won't be homeless. If we can't find a place in time, there are some places we could stay temporarily... but it's just exhausting moving here and there and I think it's pretty hard for the kids too.
So these are my current worries...
I really know that God is in control and that this is easy for Him. But I feel totally overwhelmed and confused. What to choose, what to sacrifice (more money or less comfort), and it's just really difficult. I understand the concept of not worrying, just giving it up to God and trusting Him because the situation is already pretty impossible for me to figure out on my own... but putting that concept into action?... I want to continue to try.
In the meantime, my mood is irritable and my reactions quick. So I'm managing that, trying to prevent as much relational damage as possible.
Aii, this is life.
Sooo... we've been on this apartment search. We found a really great apartment 2 days ago, and we were planning to meet today to make the "contract" (this could be a real contract, but probably just a verbal agreement and financial transaction). But when we called this morning to see when we should meet, they said that they changed their mind. They already pretty much promised us this apartment, but they changed their mind. *Shock*
So, we began our apartment search again. This is not so easy, especially since we're looking for an apartment that can house 4 girls and 2 kids. And we are in Georgia, so when an apartment is listed as having "3 rooms", that often means: a bedroom, a smaller bedroom and a living room. Or sometimes there is a decent apartment, but there is a problem with the neighbors (one apartment was pretty good, but the downstairs neighbors are pretty particular about noise, and we have 2 little kids running around...). And plus, the agent who's been helping us the most-- he's a really great businessman, but also pushy and talks a lot and it's hard to make a decision because he's talking the whole time you're trying to think, and then trying to convince you about things that you know won't work. The last apartment we saw today was big enough, and cheap enough.. but like totally not finished. Not even wall paper. No heater. No stove. Cracks in the windows.
So I'm tired.
We're supposed to be out of the apartment we're in now, by the 15th. Of course we won't be homeless. If we can't find a place in time, there are some places we could stay temporarily... but it's just exhausting moving here and there and I think it's pretty hard for the kids too.
So these are my current worries...
I really know that God is in control and that this is easy for Him. But I feel totally overwhelmed and confused. What to choose, what to sacrifice (more money or less comfort), and it's just really difficult. I understand the concept of not worrying, just giving it up to God and trusting Him because the situation is already pretty impossible for me to figure out on my own... but putting that concept into action?... I want to continue to try.
In the meantime, my mood is irritable and my reactions quick. So I'm managing that, trying to prevent as much relational damage as possible.
Aii, this is life.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
on the search
Still on the apartment search... and going back and forth between being peaceful that things will work out and stressed out that there are too many decisions and changes. Today we looked at two apartments. Tomorrow we have 3 appointments to look at several apartments. Apartments apartments apartments. la la la
Sunday, January 03, 2010
new song
listen here
great maker
creator
your hands are so warm
so gentle
you mold me
into my form
who am i to tell
you what to do
you know very well
yes you do
great patience
how lovely
you bring into life
your beauty
your imagination
they're deep in my lines
i'm excited now
you're almost through
i can live my purpose out
all for you
and you are the one
who breathed this life into me
and i am the clay
which you are molding
and i know there is
a purpose so deep
and i will find it
i will find it
great purpose
don't leave me
please use me
i'm ready
great maker
creator
your hands are so warm
so gentle
you mold me
into my form
who am i to tell
you what to do
you know very well
yes you do
great patience
how lovely
you bring into life
your beauty
your imagination
they're deep in my lines
i'm excited now
you're almost through
i can live my purpose out
all for you
and you are the one
who breathed this life into me
and i am the clay
which you are molding
and i know there is
a purpose so deep
and i will find it
i will find it
great purpose
don't leave me
please use me
i'm ready
Friday, January 01, 2010
(WATERDEEP)
When the cold wind blows all around
Will you still love me?
still love me
When the cold wind blows all around
Will you still love me?
When the lightning crashes
Hopes are dashed and I
Am asking how this comes to me
and why
When no home on Earth can be found
Will you still love me?
still love me
When no home on Earth can be found
Will you still love me?
When you left us last time
You said You’d return
And I’m sorry that it
takes so long to learn
That my hope is to walk forever
in the coolness of the day
Oh my hope is to walk forever
in the coolness of the day
When the cold wind blows all around
You will still love me
still love me
When the cold wind blows all around
You will still love me
transitions
Sometimes I feel that my brain is too small to fit and comprehend all of my experiences.
I'm looking at pictures of my time in Holland and it's difficult for me to comprehend that I was there. I'm not going crazy or anything, but I'm just switching back and forth from so many different "lives" and I'm just one Jenni. Eh.
I just now unpacked my suitcase from Holland. I took all the things that were left and dumped them on the floor. The suitcase is empty. The floor is semi-full. And now I begin the process of organizing.. BUT, I cannot settle. I can't just unpack everything and make my room mine. Because we have to move to an unknown apartment by the 15th of this month. So I'm unpacking to pack? Or maybe unpacking is not the right term. Maybe just rearranging my luggage. Ha!
How do I feel about all of this? I really don't know.
I just got a phone call from one of my street grandmas! It was so sweet! Oh Lord. There are so many people to love. I feel so small, but I want to do so much. Sometimes it's really overwhelming. My life feels too big for me. But is that even possible?
Well, another year gone by. It's funny though how December 31st and January 1st feel the same. I cynically am wondering how this new year is really new... maybe I'm just put-off by all the hype. I mean, technically every day is a new day too. It's a cycle cycling. A year is another cycle that continues too. So maybe we should start celebrating "happy new day"! People seem to get really positive, motivated, reflective & thoughtful, re-focused and maybe even humbled around New Years. Imagine if we celebrated every new day. Maybe we'd be happier. Maybe our resolutions would be more tangible. Instead of "I want to be nice to every person I meet this whole year"...we could have "I want to be nice to every person I meet today"... that sounds much more attainable. Breaking things into smaller pieces. Step by step. Hmm. I'm beginning to feel thoughtful and reflective myself.
I'm looking at pictures of my time in Holland and it's difficult for me to comprehend that I was there. I'm not going crazy or anything, but I'm just switching back and forth from so many different "lives" and I'm just one Jenni. Eh.
I just now unpacked my suitcase from Holland. I took all the things that were left and dumped them on the floor. The suitcase is empty. The floor is semi-full. And now I begin the process of organizing.. BUT, I cannot settle. I can't just unpack everything and make my room mine. Because we have to move to an unknown apartment by the 15th of this month. So I'm unpacking to pack? Or maybe unpacking is not the right term. Maybe just rearranging my luggage. Ha!
How do I feel about all of this? I really don't know.
I just got a phone call from one of my street grandmas! It was so sweet! Oh Lord. There are so many people to love. I feel so small, but I want to do so much. Sometimes it's really overwhelming. My life feels too big for me. But is that even possible?
Well, another year gone by. It's funny though how December 31st and January 1st feel the same. I cynically am wondering how this new year is really new... maybe I'm just put-off by all the hype. I mean, technically every day is a new day too. It's a cycle cycling. A year is another cycle that continues too. So maybe we should start celebrating "happy new day"! People seem to get really positive, motivated, reflective & thoughtful, re-focused and maybe even humbled around New Years. Imagine if we celebrated every new day. Maybe we'd be happier. Maybe our resolutions would be more tangible. Instead of "I want to be nice to every person I meet this whole year"...we could have "I want to be nice to every person I meet today"... that sounds much more attainable. Breaking things into smaller pieces. Step by step. Hmm. I'm beginning to feel thoughtful and reflective myself.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
two loves
I'm back in Georgia! I love it. It's so sunny. And chaotic. And there are so many dark-haired beautiful Georgians (as in comparison to light-haired beautiful Dutchies) :-). And I just am glad to be back.
But that's not to say that I don't miss Holland... I do! Enough to spend extra money to buy hand soap that was from Holland (or that I at least saw in Holland) instead of just regular hand soap. And that I got excited that I saw a Nutella jar that had Dutch on it and was from Holland. Slightly ridiculous, but these were my true feelings!
I'm totally in love with this song "The More I Seek You" - Kari Jobe/Christ for the Nations. I am like constantly singing it either in my head or out loud when I'm walking around. It's really how I feel these days:
the more I seek You
the more I find You
the more I find You
the more I love You
I want to sit at Your feet
drink from the cup in Your hand
lay back against You and breathe
feel your heartbeat
this love is so deep
it's more than I can stand
i melt in Your peace
it's overwhelming
Beautiful. Profound. Amazing.
Well, off to bed. I have a meeting tomorrow! The fun begins. :-)
Georgia, I love you and am glad to be back. Holland, I love you too and hope to return soon!
But that's not to say that I don't miss Holland... I do! Enough to spend extra money to buy hand soap that was from Holland (or that I at least saw in Holland) instead of just regular hand soap. And that I got excited that I saw a Nutella jar that had Dutch on it and was from Holland. Slightly ridiculous, but these were my true feelings!
I'm totally in love with this song "The More I Seek You" - Kari Jobe/Christ for the Nations. I am like constantly singing it either in my head or out loud when I'm walking around. It's really how I feel these days:
the more I seek You
the more I find You
the more I find You
the more I love You
I want to sit at Your feet
drink from the cup in Your hand
lay back against You and breathe
feel your heartbeat
this love is so deep
it's more than I can stand
i melt in Your peace
it's overwhelming
Beautiful. Profound. Amazing.
Well, off to bed. I have a meeting tomorrow! The fun begins. :-)
Georgia, I love you and am glad to be back. Holland, I love you too and hope to return soon!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
just reflecting.
It's snowing.
It's so interesting to be able to witness the incredibly amazing way the seasons change. Like, I'm looking out the window and now its snowy and white, the trees are bare, and it's cold. And 3 months ago, it was sunny and green, the trees were full and it was bright and warm. It's hard to fathom how many things happened in these short 3 months. Life is a mystery to me. I'm feeling poetic and reflective now, but my words don't suffice. But I'm amazed. Life is beautiful. Creation is beautiful.
I'm really starting to believe that I'm going back to Georgia. I mean, I always knew I was going back after the school was finished (I have a plane ticket!). But it's so easy to get involved and caught up in life here. But now things are really coming to an end. I had my last one-on-one. Last time in worship with the base. My last test. And I'm procrastinating on doing my homework for the last time now. So many lasts. I feel a little sad, but not completely. Pretty numb too (from so many contradicting emotions! excited to go back to Georgia, sad to leave, etc.). But totally full of gratitude for this life-changing 3 months in Holland. Another chapter to my story, eh.
I'm really wondering about my life. Sometimes I think that I want to have a more consistent one. Not having to switch "homes" so much. Knowing more what to expect. Being more comfortable. But then I think that I'd be unhappy in that situation. But then I think, is life all about traveling and excitement? All about being comfortable and consistent? I don't know. Is there even a standard that determines that your life was good or well lived? I'm really wondering. I'm really wondering what I want. What God wants to use me for. What I'd like. What would be fulfilling. What I can do. A lot of life-destiny questions.
I wish I could know the answers now, but I understand that I can't. I'll know as I walk into them.
It's so interesting to be able to witness the incredibly amazing way the seasons change. Like, I'm looking out the window and now its snowy and white, the trees are bare, and it's cold. And 3 months ago, it was sunny and green, the trees were full and it was bright and warm. It's hard to fathom how many things happened in these short 3 months. Life is a mystery to me. I'm feeling poetic and reflective now, but my words don't suffice. But I'm amazed. Life is beautiful. Creation is beautiful.
I'm really starting to believe that I'm going back to Georgia. I mean, I always knew I was going back after the school was finished (I have a plane ticket!). But it's so easy to get involved and caught up in life here. But now things are really coming to an end. I had my last one-on-one. Last time in worship with the base. My last test. And I'm procrastinating on doing my homework for the last time now. So many lasts. I feel a little sad, but not completely. Pretty numb too (from so many contradicting emotions! excited to go back to Georgia, sad to leave, etc.). But totally full of gratitude for this life-changing 3 months in Holland. Another chapter to my story, eh.
I'm really wondering about my life. Sometimes I think that I want to have a more consistent one. Not having to switch "homes" so much. Knowing more what to expect. Being more comfortable. But then I think that I'd be unhappy in that situation. But then I think, is life all about traveling and excitement? All about being comfortable and consistent? I don't know. Is there even a standard that determines that your life was good or well lived? I'm really wondering. I'm really wondering what I want. What God wants to use me for. What I'd like. What would be fulfilling. What I can do. A lot of life-destiny questions.
I wish I could know the answers now, but I understand that I can't. I'll know as I walk into them.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
character is essential
I am still alive.
In Holland.
Although, I feel that my homework is eating me alive.
But I'm surviving.
One of my "goals" for the BCC was to grow in self-discipline. And I guess forcing yourself to do the homework you have to do even when you don't want to do it would fall under that category.
My life is very interesting, right now. Feel like I'm driving blindfolded. And I'm so not in control. I'm totally tried in my patience. But I know there's no other end than to persevere.
So continues the process of character growth.
In Holland.
Although, I feel that my homework is eating me alive.
But I'm surviving.
One of my "goals" for the BCC was to grow in self-discipline. And I guess forcing yourself to do the homework you have to do even when you don't want to do it would fall under that category.
My life is very interesting, right now. Feel like I'm driving blindfolded. And I'm so not in control. I'm totally tried in my patience. But I know there's no other end than to persevere.
So continues the process of character growth.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
trusting is not so easy
It's so hard to trust sometimes. I wish it weren't, but it really is. And it's funny... it's a lot easier to tell people that they need to trust God-- but then to actually do it myself is a lot harder.
Or it feels like I'm letting go of what I can't control and trusting, but then in a wave of emotion it hits me again and I'm knocked to the ground (this is what I feel like).
I just don't really know how to come to grips with the fact that I'm an incredibly emotional person. I know that God made me that way, and I want to be able to embrace that, but it so controls me a lot more than I'd like it to, and THAT I don't know what to do with.
I don't like that I get pulled around by how I feel, but how do I change it so that my emotions can help me and not hurt me?
I have a lot of questions.
The Bible Course is going pretty good. We have quite a bit of homework. We have a book of the Bible that we study for a week, and we do a lot of different things with that, looking up historical information, trying to understand the context more through various means. Also one day a week we are reading the Bible out loud. We'll read through almost the whole Bible out loud by the end of the 3 months.
Holland is still great. I think that I definitely have fallen in love with the beautiful nature! Every morning I ride through the forest to go to class... how amazing is that. I love it very much.
Also, I've started helping out with worship a little bit on the base. It's fun to get involved. But I notice too that I miss being involved in ministries-- I miss my street kids and my street people!!
But I'm glad to be where I am and I'm trying to embrace the day, eh.
Or it feels like I'm letting go of what I can't control and trusting, but then in a wave of emotion it hits me again and I'm knocked to the ground (this is what I feel like).
I just don't really know how to come to grips with the fact that I'm an incredibly emotional person. I know that God made me that way, and I want to be able to embrace that, but it so controls me a lot more than I'd like it to, and THAT I don't know what to do with.
I don't like that I get pulled around by how I feel, but how do I change it so that my emotions can help me and not hurt me?
I have a lot of questions.
The Bible Course is going pretty good. We have quite a bit of homework. We have a book of the Bible that we study for a week, and we do a lot of different things with that, looking up historical information, trying to understand the context more through various means. Also one day a week we are reading the Bible out loud. We'll read through almost the whole Bible out loud by the end of the 3 months.
Holland is still great. I think that I definitely have fallen in love with the beautiful nature! Every morning I ride through the forest to go to class... how amazing is that. I love it very much.
Also, I've started helping out with worship a little bit on the base. It's fun to get involved. But I notice too that I miss being involved in ministries-- I miss my street kids and my street people!!
But I'm glad to be where I am and I'm trying to embrace the day, eh.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
at the moment...
some people think that freedom is found in chaos.
some people think that knowledge is shown with words.
I believe there is freedom in submission...
and knowledge shown through silence...
before the Living God.
BEFORE THE LIVING GOD.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7
some people think that knowledge is shown with words.
I believe there is freedom in submission...
and knowledge shown through silence...
before the Living God.
BEFORE THE LIVING GOD.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7
Monday, September 28, 2009
jjjenni and the wwwindmill
Hey everyone!
So I'm still alive and well in Holland. :-)
Classes have started and we just today really got into it. We're reading through the whole Bible in these 3 months, so we have specific Bible reading days and today was one of those. Me and the 2 other people in my English speaking group read the books out-loud and then afterwards we answer questions. Also, before we read the book, we have these little introductions to each book that give us more information about when it was written, to whom, etc. So, so far today we've read: 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, James, Ephesians, Colossians and we will read 1&2 Corinthians tonight. And I'm pretty sure there is something that I left out. It's pretty intense, but I'm sure it will only increase in intensity... like when we read 1&2 Kings and it will supposedly take 6+ hours...!!!
I have a great roommate named Sonja from Germany. We get along really well! And I just really like all the people in my school, students and staff.
The weather has been really really beautiful this last week (I've been here for a week already!), but unfortunately it looks like it's going to get colder and possibly rainy. :-( But I'm grateful for the nice weather we've had. :-)
Well, here's like one of the only pictures that I've taken since I've been in Holland... I know that's pretty lame. But you wouldn't believe how hard it is to take pictures when you're riding a bike....
It's Jenni and a giant windmill!! This is the first Dutch windmill that I've ever seen in my entire life that was not on a coloring page or in some cultural Christmas pamphlet thing. :-)
So I'm still alive and well in Holland. :-)
Classes have started and we just today really got into it. We're reading through the whole Bible in these 3 months, so we have specific Bible reading days and today was one of those. Me and the 2 other people in my English speaking group read the books out-loud and then afterwards we answer questions. Also, before we read the book, we have these little introductions to each book that give us more information about when it was written, to whom, etc. So, so far today we've read: 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, James, Ephesians, Colossians and we will read 1&2 Corinthians tonight. And I'm pretty sure there is something that I left out. It's pretty intense, but I'm sure it will only increase in intensity... like when we read 1&2 Kings and it will supposedly take 6+ hours...!!!
I have a great roommate named Sonja from Germany. We get along really well! And I just really like all the people in my school, students and staff.
The weather has been really really beautiful this last week (I've been here for a week already!), but unfortunately it looks like it's going to get colder and possibly rainy. :-( But I'm grateful for the nice weather we've had. :-)
Well, here's like one of the only pictures that I've taken since I've been in Holland... I know that's pretty lame. But you wouldn't believe how hard it is to take pictures when you're riding a bike....
It's Jenni and a giant windmill!! This is the first Dutch windmill that I've ever seen in my entire life that was not on a coloring page or in some cultural Christmas pamphlet thing. :-)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
holland is da bomb.
Hallllooooo!!!
I'm in Holland and I'm really really loving it! But I have heard that the first stage of being in another culture is the "honeymoon" part where everything is amazing and beautiful and you love it-- and then you begin to see all the negative things. So I'm just really praying that I won't get to that part. I only have 3 months and I don't want to waste it on having a bad attitude and getting offended about different cultural things that I can't control or change. Really praying!
Our course will start on Wednesday and so these days I'm just kind of getting introduced to living here. I've rented my bike (which is super amazing-- I'll have to take some pictures and show you!) and that's my transportation! The place where we live is kind of like a village, but a modernized-ish one, but quaint and quiet and cute and green and beautiful! And the base is in a neighboring village, so I ride on a bike trail through the forest to get there! We'll have most of our lectures, etc. at the base. I think pretty much the only negative thing about the bike is that my bottom is reallllllyy sore...! But I think after a few days it will get used to it! :-) And also I have yet to ride in the rain... but I'm sure I'll experience that soon enough. BUT I pretty much love my bike.
The town is also very cute. Lots of cute shops. Lots of things calling at me to buy them because they either don't exist in Georgia, aren't as good quality or are cheaper here-- but I'm trying to remember that my happiness is not birthed from an abundance of cute possessions. :-) I'm sure I will buy some things, but I'm definitely having a challenge in self-control and keeping my perspective in tempting times!!
So, yeah! I'm really enjoying it here! I feel like it's really a gift from God! I'm sure though that when I start studying I will be more focused on that than on being continually amazed at my surroundings!!!-- but for now I'm enjoying it. :-)
Thanks for all your prayers and interests!
I'm in Holland and I'm really really loving it! But I have heard that the first stage of being in another culture is the "honeymoon" part where everything is amazing and beautiful and you love it-- and then you begin to see all the negative things. So I'm just really praying that I won't get to that part. I only have 3 months and I don't want to waste it on having a bad attitude and getting offended about different cultural things that I can't control or change. Really praying!
Our course will start on Wednesday and so these days I'm just kind of getting introduced to living here. I've rented my bike (which is super amazing-- I'll have to take some pictures and show you!) and that's my transportation! The place where we live is kind of like a village, but a modernized-ish one, but quaint and quiet and cute and green and beautiful! And the base is in a neighboring village, so I ride on a bike trail through the forest to get there! We'll have most of our lectures, etc. at the base. I think pretty much the only negative thing about the bike is that my bottom is reallllllyy sore...! But I think after a few days it will get used to it! :-) And also I have yet to ride in the rain... but I'm sure I'll experience that soon enough. BUT I pretty much love my bike.
The town is also very cute. Lots of cute shops. Lots of things calling at me to buy them because they either don't exist in Georgia, aren't as good quality or are cheaper here-- but I'm trying to remember that my happiness is not birthed from an abundance of cute possessions. :-) I'm sure I will buy some things, but I'm definitely having a challenge in self-control and keeping my perspective in tempting times!!
So, yeah! I'm really enjoying it here! I feel like it's really a gift from God! I'm sure though that when I start studying I will be more focused on that than on being continually amazed at my surroundings!!!-- but for now I'm enjoying it. :-)
Thanks for all your prayers and interests!
Monday, September 14, 2009
i love
I HAVE MY PLANE TICKET TO HOLLAND.
not that i'm excited or anything... or maybe I AM!!!!!!!
So that's some great news to share with you! Really, it's a miracle. Just like a couple of weeks ago I thought that maybe I wouldn't go-- but now I have a plane ticket. I really see through this God's power and active-ness in our lives and concerns. He is really amazing. Thank you Lord for leading me and helping me to this Bible school in Holland!!
Also as I was walking downtown today post-ticket-buying, I saw some of my street kids from the center. They were so sweet!!! And I was super encouraged-- one of the street sellers was telling me how good of kids they were. Once they wanted to buy some earrings but didn't have money at the time, so they sort of took out a "loan" (for a couple of cents) and said they'd bring the money the next day-- and they DID. So this lady was saying how good they were and how much she trusts them, and I was standing there with my arms around them saying how good they were too-- and I think the kids really liked that. People valuing them. And I was filled with so much hope! There are many people who say that these people groups (Kurds&Gypsies) will always be liars and thieves and beggars-- but I can see that they are wrong. These children can change. They can be "normal". They can be respected and show respect. How cool is that. Again, God is pretty amazing. Because He cares. He wants to teach them and help them out of the situation they're in. I absolutely believe that. And I just pray that I really can be a part of it.
So that's some great news to share with you! Really, it's a miracle. Just like a couple of weeks ago I thought that maybe I wouldn't go-- but now I have a plane ticket. I really see through this God's power and active-ness in our lives and concerns. He is really amazing. Thank you Lord for leading me and helping me to this Bible school in Holland!!
Also as I was walking downtown today post-ticket-buying, I saw some of my street kids from the center. They were so sweet!!! And I was super encouraged-- one of the street sellers was telling me how good of kids they were. Once they wanted to buy some earrings but didn't have money at the time, so they sort of took out a "loan" (for a couple of cents) and said they'd bring the money the next day-- and they DID. So this lady was saying how good they were and how much she trusts them, and I was standing there with my arms around them saying how good they were too-- and I think the kids really liked that. People valuing them. And I was filled with so much hope! There are many people who say that these people groups (Kurds&Gypsies) will always be liars and thieves and beggars-- but I can see that they are wrong. These children can change. They can be "normal". They can be respected and show respect. How cool is that. Again, God is pretty amazing. Because He cares. He wants to teach them and help them out of the situation they're in. I absolutely believe that. And I just pray that I really can be a part of it.
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